University challenges highlighted

A report outlining the major issues that universities could face in the future has been published.

The report, by universities uk, suggests a number of different scenarios for the future of higher education, and lays out how universities must be prepared to be flexible in order to meet the challenges of the next few years.

It suggests universities could face more competition from abroad and a greater demand for part-time study and will have to meet changing needs of employers.

The scenarios put forward ideas about policy choices, such as the regulation of fees, and competing pressures for public money, and how universities could find themselves dealing with less 18-year-old first year undergraduates and more mature students instead.

Many could find themselves turning to online study in order to make higher education more affordable.

The scenarios are not predictions for the future, but describe what could happen depending on what policy choices are made in the future, universities uk said.

Professor Rick trainor, President of universities uk, said: "universities uk commissioned this report to help universities consider the potential impact of longer-term trends and prospective demographic changes in demand.

"It gives institutions advance notice of the challenges that lie ahead so that they are well placed to anticipate these changes. Universities will be best placed to meet these challenges if the sector remains lightly regulated and is free to respond flexibly to changing student markets."

Sir muir russell, Vice-President, universities uk, and Chair of the report's steering group, said: "The sector will no doubt look quite different in 20 years' time - what we must ensure is that universities and policy-makers have access to well informed and up-to-date advice about these demographic uncertainties ahead."

Minister for Students baroness Morgan said: "We welcome this thought-provoking report which will form an important part of the debate on the future of higher education... While the scenarios don't necessarily represent what will actually happen, they do help to identify the sorts of challenges the higher education sector might face over the next 20 years."

Tags: muir russell,universities uk,student markets,policy choices,forward ideas,demographic changes,mature students,time study,public money,trainor,steering group,baroness,higher ed,advance notice,term trends,higher education,scenarios,undergraduates,no doubt,uncertainties

Thursday, July 10, 2008 |

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